Top 10 Conn Smythe Trophy Candidates

As the Detroit Red Wings are on the brink of winning their fourth Stanley Cup in 10 seasons, many are starting to realize that there are more than a handful of choices for playoff MVP. Both teams have star-studded lineups which possess some of the best players of the decade.

While we inch closer to the end, here are the top 10 selections for the Conn Smythe.

10) Niklas Kronwall

Kronwall, on the other side of the spectrum, has his opponents remembering his name more than the fans do. This hard-hitting defenseman is shaping up to have the offensive upsides of Nick Lidstrom and the force of Ulf Samuelsson—a scary combination.

9) Evgeni Malkin

Malkin has been a ghost in this year's finals. His poor play of late has brought down his stock faster than the Ottawa Senators' playoff run.

On the other hand, he is a candidate for the Hart Trophy as he kept the Penguins in the run when Sidney Crosby was injured. His performances in round one and two are exceptional, recording 17 points in 10 games. Now, he has picked up two points in his last nine games.

If Gino gets his spark back, this series could quite possibly turn around.

8) Johan Franzen

It seems like every mule has their day. Franzen's day, however, has lasted for the last two-and-a-half months. Franzen leads all playoff goal scorers with 13 goals, but the amazing thing is that Franzen missed six games in the playoffs. He is averaging right under the goal-a-game mark, and has given Detroit another offensive threat for the Penguins' defense to contain.

7) Marian Hossa

Exorcising past playoff demons, Hossa has been tearing it up in the post-season. All the critics questions have been answered by Hossa's clutch play this year. Even though he is a rental player who will most likely not return to Pittsburgh next year, he is making the most of his stay. His shooting capabilities are what makes him one of the league's most feared snipers.

6) Pavel Datsyuk

Since the Red Wings are up 3-1 in the finals, people seem to be overlooking the fact that Datsyuk hasn't hit the back of the net once. But when he's not busy scoring, he's playing great defensive hockey. Datsyuk remains to be a force in whichever way he is needed in these playoffs, and the little Russian's not afraid to get his nose dirty—just ask Gary Roberts.

5) Marc-Andre Fleury

Surprisingly nobody would have ever guessed that with all his talent, Fleury has not been on a winning team since...well, ever. This year he has done virtually everything possible to end the trend.

With a GAA under 2 and a save percentage over .930 Fleury has given the Penguins a chance to win every night. And if they happen to win the next three, I'm sure he'll have a lot to do with it.

4) Nick Lidstrom

The future hall-of-famer is on the verge of being the first European captain to win a Stanley Cup. Lidstrom's not the roughest player, nor is he the flashiest player. But if you watch a Wings' game, there's no arguing that he shows great poise and uses his knowledge to his advantage. He will go down in history as one of the best defensemen this game's ever seen; and once his career is over, they might think about renaming the Norris Trophy.

3) Chris Osgood

In round one he was the Wings' savior. Dominik Hasek lost the starting job in Game 4 when he let in three goals on 14 shots. Since then, Osgood has only lost three games and has been the backbone to Detroit's success. Although he faces about 20 shots a game, his contributions at key moments have turned him into one of the front-runners for the Smythe in the playoffs.

2) Sidney Crosby

Captain Crosby has been the heart and soul of this team. When he's hot, they're hot. But when he's off his game it affects his team in many ways. Luckily for them, he hasn't had too many of those nights in the playoffs. Crosby scored the Pens' first two goals of this series and if they have a chance to win the cup he's got to get his team fired up and play fearless hockey. Crosby's skill and leadership have the ability to bring this series all the way.

1) Henrik Zetterberg

It's not often that one of the best offensive players in the league is also highly responsible defensively. Zetterberg's play in the playoffs has brought success to Detroit in more ways than one. He is currently second in playoff scoring, and is one of the best penalty-killers in this series. His display during the two-man advantage in Game 4 has truly showed the world that he isn't just a one-way player: he is the total package.